On June 1, 2025, a cultural and educational family event "Families of Donetsk Region: from Generation to Generation" took place at the Congress and Exhibition Center "Parkovy" (Kyiv), uniting families from various communities of Donetsk region, internally displaced persons, experts, partners, and public activists.
The event was initiated by the Department of Family, Youth, and Mass Events of National-Patriotic Education of the Donetsk Regional State Administration with the support of the Charitable Foundation "Union of World Cultures" and in partnership with the Congress and Exhibition Center "Parkovy", Data Center "Parkovy", the Donetsk Regional Youth Center, the public organization "Fishing Club of Ukraine", as well as support hubs for internally displaced persons from the cities of Selydove, Mariupol, Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, Nikolske, and Mangush communities, which engaged families to participate in the meeting.
Liliya Zolkina, head of the Department of Family, Youth, and Mass Events of National-Patriotic Education of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech, emphasizing: "Today's event is not just a meeting of families; it is a symbol of our unity, care, and faith in restoration. Donetsk region is not just geography. It is people, families, our traditions that live despite losses and war. We preserve this code of life to pass it on to our children – regardless of the circumstances."
Nataliya Kyrkach, advisor to the head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration on ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men and head of the Charitable Foundation "Slovianske Heart", thanked all partners and emphasized the importance of holding such events. "Family is a place of strength, and community is its space. The future depends on the combination of these two components. Today we are talking not only about politics or social programs – we are talking about humanity that holds the country together in the darkest times," Nataliya Kyrkach stressed.
Olena Kobets, director of the Charitable Foundation "Union of World Cultures", welcomed the attendees, shared information about the foundation's work in supporting children, and discussed the idea behind the event and the path all partners took to reach it.
Representatives of the partner-organizers of the event also addressed the audience with welcoming speeches: Anna Maistrenko, marketing director of the Congress and Exhibition Center "Parkovy", and Yaroslav Boyko, head of the public organization "Fishing Club of Ukraine".
The program of the event included two important thematic panel discussions for the guests.
The first – "Family in New Circumstances: Challenges of Adaptation, Raising Children, Community Support" – was moderated by Nataliya Fedorovych, head of the public organization Center for Public Initiatives "Perspective", an expert in social policy and family support.
Panel participants included: Olha Sanzharevska – a resident of Mariinka, Donetsk region; Tetiana Bryantseva – deputy mayor for information, communication work, and internal policy of Selydove City Council, coordinator of the IDP Support Centers "SELYDOVE.UA"; Yuliia Dmydova – vice-rector for scientific and pedagogical work and youth policy of Mariupol State University; Nataliya Adamova – acting director of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center.
The second panel discussion – "Mental Health of the Family: How to Support Yourself, Your Child, and the Community" – was moderated by Nataliya Kyrkach, advisor to the head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration on ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men and head of the Charitable Foundation "Slovianske Heart".
Panel speakers included Veronika Rusalova – psychologist of the public organization "Tenth of April"; Olha Serbova – psychologist of the "TatoHub" project, specialist in responsible parenting; Tetiana Subotina – clinical psychologist, certified consultant in cognitive-behavioral therapy, national trainer in mental health and psychosocial support programs; Denys Maleyev – vice-rector of the Donetsk Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education, candidate of psychological sciences, clinical psychologist.
A touching part of the event was the award ceremony for the winners of the children's creativity competition "My Family: from Generation to Generation", which gathered dozens of heartfelt stories, drawings, essays, and crafts depicting the strength of family, tradition, love, and spiritual heritage of Donetsk region. Participants from various corners of the region had the opportunity to attend in person or join online thanks to the technical support of the event. The awards were presented by Olena Kobets, Liliya Zolkina, and Volodymyr Pokatilov, director of the Data Center "Parkovy".
A separate element of the event was the presentation of the photo exhibition "Women and War: Stories Before and After", which tells about the women of Donetsk region who went through occupation, evacuation, losses, and preserved the strength to support others. Their stories are about resilience, dignity, motherhood, service, volunteering, and steadfastness in the most difficult conditions.
Throughout the event, there was a children's zone with workshops, animators, and entertainment, and the final chord was a musical program featuring talented children and youth from Donetsk region – performers and laureates of national and international competitions, who conveyed the strength of our region's voice through their creativity.
Interactive locations during the event included the presentation area of the Main Department of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in Donetsk region and a consultation stand of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center.
In concluding the meeting, Liliya Zolkina thanked all partners, families, and participants, stating: "Thank you for the unity, warmth, and inspiration you created today. This is more than an event – it was our shared day of strength. May every family take away not only emotions but also a sense of support that we are together, that Donetsk lives in each of us."
The event concluded with the presentation of gratitude to partners, a group photo, and warm wishes for new meetings – in a safe, free, and restored Donetsk region.